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Dietary education and modification interventions are valuable and feasible strategies for enhancing nutritional status and managing symptoms in patients with gastric cancer following gastrectomy. In alignment with administrative policies prioritizing shorter hospital stays and enhanced postoperative self-management, the provision of a simplified nutritional management approach following gastrectomy holds promise for preventing weight loss and expanding resources for monitoring both the nutritional and symptomatic aspects of these patients. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an integrative approach involving the five sequential steps of Conversation, Assessment, Nutrition plan, Complications, Evaluation, and Reassurance or Removal (CANCER) into Altering Intake and Managing Symptoms (AIMS), with specific focus on enhancing nutritional status and symptom management. A single-blind, two-arm, randomized controlled trial. This study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Shandong province, China. Patients with total or subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group in a 1:1 ratio. The intervention group received a 16-week CANCER-AIMS intervention program. The control group received usual routine care dietary guidance. Questionnaires and electronic medical records of each patient were used to assess dietary intake, dietary symptoms, and subjective and objective nutritional status. Outcomes were assessed at four specific time points: the day before discharge and at 4-, 8-, and 16-weeks following hospital discharge. Thirty-eight participants completed the study. The findings revealed significant interaction effects between group and time for dietary intake, dietary symptoms, and nutritional status between intervention and control groups (P < 0.001). The intervention group had significantly higher dietary intake, fewer dietary symptoms, and better nutritional status post-intervention than the control group (P < 0.001). Moreover, there were significant differences in dietary intake, dietary symptoms, and nutritional status according to time in both the intervention and control groups. The CANCER-AIMS intervention for patients with gastric cancer following gastrectomy may be efficient at enhancing nutritional intake, reducing negative dietary symptoms, and thus improving both their subjective and objective nutritional status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central venous catheters are widely used in clinical practice, and the incidence of central venous catheter occlusion is between 25 % and 38 %. The turbulence caused by the pulsatile flushing technique is harmful to the vascular endothelium and may lead to phlebitis. The low-speed continuous infusion catheter technique is a new type of continuous infusion that ensures that the catheter is always in a keep-vein-open state by continuous low-speed flushing; hence, avoiding the problem of catheter occlusion. To investigate the effectiveness of the low-speed continuous infusion catheter technique and the routine care of double-lumen central venous catheters. This was a prospective, randomized, controlled, open-label trial. Patients were recruited from 14 medical institutions in China between February and June 2023. In total, 251 patients were recruited, with 125 in the intervention group and 126 in the control group. Patients who used double-lumen central venous catheters for infusion treatment were selected, and those who met the sampling criteria were randomly divided into intervention and control groups using the random envelope method. The intervention group used the low-speed continuous infusion catheter technique to maintain catheter patency, whereas the control group used routine care with a trial period of 7 days. The primary outcome was the occlusion rate. The secondary outcomes included nursing satisfaction and complication rates of the two groups. After 7 days, the rate of catheter occlusion was 28.0 % (35/125, 95 % confidence interval (CI):0.203, 0.367) in the intervention group and 53.97 % (68/126, 95 % CI: 0.449–0.629) in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (χ2 = 17.488, p < 0.001); at 3 days of intervention, the rate of catheter blockage was 8.0 % (10/125, 95 % CI: 0.039–0.142) in the intervention group and 23.8 % (30/126, 0.167–0.322) in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (χ2 = 11.707, p < 0.001). Nurse satisfaction was significantly higher in the intervention group (115/125, 92.0 %, 95 % CI: 0.858–0.961) than in the control group (104/126, 82.54 %, 95 % CI: 0.748–0.887) (χ2 = 5.049, p = 0.025). There were no statistically significant complication rates in either group (p = 0.622). The low-speed continuous infusion catheter technique helps maintain catheter patency, improves nurse satisfaction, and provides a high level of safety. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200064007, www.chictr.org.cn). The first recruitment was conducted in February. https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=177311. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Need-based care is a structured and standardized model that supports formal caregivers in nursing homes in delivering person-centered care by responding with tailored non-pharmacological interventions on residents' unmet needs as well as having positive effects on behavioral and psychological symptoms on residents with dementia. However, limited resources as well as the shortage of caregivers in nursing homes make the implementation of need-based care challenging, especially when it comes to finding ways to spend more time with residents. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the implementation of need-based care in nursing homes on formal caregivers' wellbeing. A three-arm cluster randomized controlled trial was set up in 24 Belgian nursing homes: formal caregivers in the 'need-based care' group (intervention; n = 195) spent time twice a week with residents who had behavioral and psychological symptoms according to the principles of need-based care while formal caregivers in the 'time' group (n = 257) filled in the way they spent time twice a week; a third group delivered standard care (n = 299). An implementation strategy was built upon the Implementation Quality Framework and used in the 'need-based care group'. A total of 741 formal caregivers completed the digital questionnaire at one or more of the five time points (every nine weeks) between November 2021 and July 2022; they rated their sense of competence in dementia care, level of burnout, and, level of engagement. Moments of time were registered in a printed registration book. Only formal caregivers from the 'need-based care' group experienced a higher sense of competence in dementia care at time points three (p = 0.010) and four (p = 0.001) compared with baseline with an increase of respectively 1.5 (95 % confidence interval [0.25, 2.84]) and 2.4 (95 % confidence interval [0.77, 4.04]) points. No differences in scores on burnout and engagement were found. Despite challenging workforce circumstances in nursing homes, caregivers in the need-based care group as well as in the time group were able to spend time twice a week with residents with behavioral and psychological symptoms. No negative effects were found on formal caregivers' wellbeing after the implementation of need-based care in nursing homes. However, it requires strong leadership and the use of well-considered implementation strategies including reflective practice. Trial registration number ISRCTN56768265 (10/08/2023). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although swallowing exercises are a fundamental treatment for dysphagia, few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of swallowing training in patients with Alzheimer's disease. We recruited 93 patients with Alzheimer's disease from three hospitals in Guangdong, China. This was a parallel armed randomized controlled trial that randomly assigned patients to intervention (n = 48) and control (n = 45) groups. The intervention group adopted systematic stepwise swallowing training for four weeks based on routine dysphagia care. The control group implemented routine dysphagia care, including diet and posture management and health education about swallowing dysfunction. The swallowing function was the primary outcome, which was assessed using the Water Swallowing Test and Standard Swallowing Assessment. An abnormal eating behavior questionnaire was used to assess the incidence of aberrant eating behavior in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The Mini-Nutritional Assessment Short Form and Barthel index were adopted to evaluate the nutritional status and ability to carry out daily activities between groups. SPSS software was used to perform the chi-square test, t -test, and generalized estimation equation for data analysis. We analyzed the effects of the stepwise swallowing training program using the generalized estimating equation method. The intervention group exhibited greater improvements in their swallowing function (Water Swallowing Test: β = − 3.133, 95 % CI: − 4.113, − 2.154, P < 0.001; Standard Swallowing Assessment: β = − 5.813, 95 % CI: − 7.782, − 3.844, P < 0.001), abnormal eating behaviors (abnormal eating behavior questionnaire: β = − 13.324, 95 % CI: − 21.643, − 5.005, P = 0.002), daily function (Barthel index: β = 11.280, 95 % CI: 4.021, 18.540, P = 0.002), and nutritional status (Mini-Nutritional Assessment Short Form: β = 2.402, 95 % CI: 1.313, 3.490, P < 0.001) over time than the routine-care group in the fourth week. Stepwise swallowing training is a safe and effective intervention for managing dysphagia and other related symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parenting of preterm infants presents unique challenges, particularly during their transition from hospital to home. Early discharge programs can assist parents during this critical period. However, the feasibility of delivering a family-focused online discharge program remains understudied. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of a family-focused online parenting support intervention on parents' sense of competence, depression, caregiving, social support, family functioning, and the weight and length of preterm infants. We conducted a single-blind, two-arm randomized controlled trial with a repeated-measures design. Participants were recruited from a specialized tertiary hospital in China between May and December 2022. Forty-five families were randomly assigned to the intervention group and 44 to the control group. The intervention included three components: (1) two one-hour group sessions and three 30-minute individual sessions of online parenting support; (2) two follow-up telephone calls (15–30 min each) post-discharge; and (3) access to online parenting resources. Primary outcomes included parenting sense of competence, parental care ability, and preterm infants' weight and length. Secondary outcomes included depression, social support, and family functioning. Measurements were taken at baseline, preterm infant discharge, one month post-discharge, and three months post-discharge. A generalized estimating equation model was employed based on the intention-to-treat principle for outcome comparison. Parents in the intervention group showed significant improvements in parenting sense of competence (P < 0.001), parental care ability (P < 0.001), depression (P < 0.001), and social support (P = 0.002). However, no statistically significant differences were observed in preterm infants' weight and length, or in family functioning (P > 0.05). Although the intervention did not affect preterm infants' outcomes, the positive enhancements in parenting sense of competence, care ability, depression, and social support indicate that online family-focused parenting support can effectively prepare parents for hospital discharge and the early transition period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is a recognized barrier to heart failure self-care, but there has been little research on interventions to improve heart failure self-care in depressed patients. To investigate the outcomes of an individually tailored self-care intervention for patients with heart failure and major depression, and to determine whether the adequacy of self-care at baseline, the severity of depression or anxiety, or other factors affect the outcomes of this intervention. Secondary analysis of data from a pre-registered randomized controlled trial (NCT02997865). Outpatients with heart failure and comorbid major depression (n = 139) were randomly assigned to cognitive behavior therapy or usual care for depression. In addition, an experienced cardiac nurse provided the tailored self-care intervention to all patients in both arms of the trial starting eight weeks after randomization. Weekly self-care intervention sessions were held between Weeks 8 and 16; the frequency was tapered to biweekly or monthly between Weeks 17 and 32. The Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (v6.2) was used to assess self-care outcomes, with scores ≥ 70 on each of its three scales (Maintenance, Management, and Confidence) being consistent with adequate self-care. The Week 16 Maintenance scale score was the primary outcome for this analysis. At baseline, 107 (77%) of the patients scored in the inadequate self-care range on the Maintenance scale. Between Weeks 8 and 16, Maintenance scores improved more in patients with initially inadequate than initially adequate self-care (11.9 vs. 3.2 points, p =.003). Sixty-six (48%) of the patients with initially inadequate Maintenance scores achieved scores in the adequate range by Week 32 (p <.0001). Covariate-adjusted predictors of better Maintenance outcomes included adequate Maintenance at baseline (p <.0001), higher anxiety at baseline (p <.05), and higher dosages of the self-care intervention (p <.0001). Neither treatment with cognitive behavior therapy nor less severe major depression predicted better self-care outcomes. Depressed patients with inadequate heart failure self-care are able to achieve clinically significant improvements in self-care with the help of an individually tailored self-care intervention. Further refinement and testing are needed to increase the intervention's potential for clinical implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify the rehabilitative effects of robot-assisted therapy on balance function among stroke patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Thirteen electronic databases were systematically searched from inception to March 2018: Web of Science, PubMed, EMBase, The Cochrane Library, Science Direct, CINAHL, MEDLINE, AMED, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, SPORTDiscus, WanFang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Chinese Scientific Journal Database. Randomized controlled trials were retrieved for identifying the effects of robot-assisted therapy on balance function among stroke patients. Two authors independently searched databases, screened studies, extracted data, and evaluated the methodological quality and risk bias of each included study. A standardized protocol and data-collection form were used to extract information. Effect size was evaluated by mean difference with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Methodological quality and risk bias evaluation for each included study followed the quality appraisal criteria for randomized controlled trials that were recommended by Cochrane Handbook. Meta-analysis was conducted by utilizing Review Manager 5.3, a Cochrane Collaboration tool. Data was synthesized with descriptive analysis instead of meta-analysis where comparisons were not possible to be conducted with a meta-analysis. Thirty-one randomized controlled trials with a total of 1249 participants were included. The majority of the included studies contained some methodological flaws. The results of the meta-analysis indicated that robot-assisted therapy produced positive effects on balance function, as shown by an increase in the Berg balance scale score [random effects model, mean difference = 4.64, 95%CI = 3.22–6.06, P ＜0.01], as well as Fugl-Meyer balance scale scores [fixed effects model, mean difference = 3.57, 95%CI = 2.81–4.34, P ＜0.01]. After subgroup and sensitivity analyses, the positive effects were not influenced by different types of robotic devices, by whether robot-assisted therapy was combined with another intervention or not, or by differences in duration and intensity of intervention. Evidence in the present systematic review indicates that robot-assisted therapy may produce significantly positive improvements on balance function among stroke patients compared with those not using this method. More multi-center, high-quality and large-scale randomized controlled trials following the guidelines of CONSORT are necessary to generate high-quality evidence in further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background People typically seek primary health care for daytime symptoms and impairments they experience in association with their insomnia. However, few studies address the question of whether insomnia treatment can improve such symptomatology. Objectives To investigate whether a nurse-led group treatment program, based on the techniques of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), improved daytime symptomatology in primary care patients with insomnia. Outcomes Fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale [FSS]; main outcome), mood (General Health Questionnaire and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale), health-related quality of life (Short-Form Health Survey), general daytime functioning, specific daytime symptoms (individual items from the Insomnia Severity Index and Uppsala Sleep Inventory), and dysfunctional beliefs (Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep). Design A randomized controlled trial including baseline and post-treatment assessment and a 1-year post-treatment follow-up of the intervention group. Settings Seven primary health care centers (Stockholm, Sweden). Participants One hundred and sixty-five primary care patients who meet the criteria for insomnia disorder (mean age 54 years, SD 16). Most were women (73%). Exclusion criteria: severe untreated illness, bipolar disorder, current stressful life event, night shift work, and untreated sleep disorder other than insomnia. Methods Data came from a randomized controlled trial of a 10-week nurse-led group treatment for insomnia based on CBT-I (n = 90). The control condition was treatment as usual (n = 75). In accordance with intention-to-treat principles, analyses included data on patients who completed baseline assessments (intervention n = 82, and control group n = 71; post-treatment dropout rate 20%). Fifty-four patients were included in the 1-year follow-up. Results Fatigue severity improved significantly more (p < 0.001) in the intervention than in the control group (intervention, total FSS score 37.2 [SD 11.9] to 31.0 [SD 13.4] vs. control 35.9 [SD 12.1] to 35.7 [SD 12.8]). This was true also for measurements on mood (psychological distress and depressive symptoms), health-related quality of life (mental functioning), general daytime functioning, specific daytime symptoms (worry about sleep, sleepiness, bodily tiredness, and difficulty concentrating) and dysfunctional beliefs. All improvements were maintained one year after group treatment. Conclusions Many aspects of the daytime symptomatology of insomnia were improved via nurse-led group treatment based on CBT-I in primary health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Aging is a normal degenerative process that results in a decline in the gait and balance performance of older adults. Interactive cognitive motor training is an intervention that integrates cognitive and motor tasks to promote individuals’ physical and cognitive fall risk factors. However, the additive effects of the interactive cognitive motor training on objective quantitative data and comprehensive descriptions of gait and balance warrants further investigation. Objectives To investigate the effect of interactive cognitive motor training on older adults’ gait and balance from immediate to long-term time points. Design A double-blind randomized control trial. Settings Four senior service centers and community service centers in Taiwan. Participants 62 older adults who met the inclusion criteria. Methods The study participants were older adults without cognitive impairment, and they were randomly allocated to the experimental group or active control group. In both groups, older adults participated in three sessions of 30-min training per week for a total of 8 weeks, with the total number of training sessions being 24. The primary outcome was gait performance, which was measured using objective and subjective indicators. iWALK was used as an objective indicator to measure pace and dynamic stability; the Functional Gait Assessment was employed as a subjective indicator. The secondary outcome was balance performance, which was measured using iSWAY. A generalized estimating equation was used to identify whether the results of the two groups differ after receiving different intervention measures; the results were obtained from immediate to long-term posttests. Results Stride length in the pace category of the experimental group improved significantly in immediate posttest (p = 0.01), 3-month follow-up (p = 0.01), and 6-month follow-up (p = 0.04). The range of motion of the leg exhibited significant improvement in immediate posttest (p = 0.04) and 3-month follow-up (p = 0.04). The Functional Gait Assessment result indicated that statistically significant improvement was observed in immediate posttest (p = 0.02) and 12-month follow-up (p = 0.01). The results of balance performance showed that the experimental group attained statistically significant improvement in centroid frequency in the immediate posttest (p = 0.02). Conclusions The research results validated that the 24 sessions of the interactive cognitive motor training intervention significantly improved gait and balance performance. Future studies should extend the sample to communities to promote the gait and balance performance of community-dwelling older adults without cognitive impairment and reduce their risk of falling and developing gait-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The hypertension prevalence rate is increasing but the control rate is unsatisfactory. Nurse-led healthcare may be an effective way to improve outcomes for hypertensive patients but more evidence is required especially at the community level. Objective This study aims to establish a nurse-led hypertension management model and to test its effectiveness at the community level. Design A single-blind, randomized controlled trial was performed in an urban community healthcare center in China. Hypertensive patients with uncontrolled blood pressure (systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg) were randomly allocated into two groups: the study group (n = 67) and the control group (n = 67). The nurse-led hypertension management model included four components (delivery system design, decision support, clinical information system and self-management support). Patients in the control group received usual care. Patients in the study group received a 12-week period of hypertension management. The patient outcomes, which involved blood pressure, self-care behaviors, self-efficacy, quality of life and satisfaction, were assessed at three time points: the baseline, immediately after the intervention and 4 weeks after the intervention. Results After the intervention, the blood pressure of patients in the study group decreased significantly compared to those in the control group, and the mean reduction of systolic/diastolic blood pressure in the study and control groups was 14.37/7.43 mmHg and 5.10/2.69 mmHg, respectively ( p < 0.01 ). In addition, patients in the study group had significantly greater improvement in self-care behaviors than those in the control group (p < 0.01) . The study group had a higher level of satisfaction with hypertensive care than the control group (p < 0.01) . No statistically significant difference in self-efficacy and quality of life was detected between the two groups after the intervention. Conclusions The nurse-led hypertension management model is feasible and effective in improving the outcomes of patients with uncontrolled blood pressure at the community level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Potential benefits or risks of oxygen inhalation for patients with acute myocardial infarction are not fully understood. Objective We performed this study to systematically assess the effectiveness and safety of oxygen therapy for patients with acute myocardial infarction. Design A systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources We searched randomized controlled trials systematically in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library up to June 2016. Review methods Randomized controlled trials that estimated the effectiveness and safety of oxygen therapy for patients with acute myocardial infarction were identified by two independent reviewers. The primary outcomes were short-term mortality and recurrent rate of myocardial infarction, and the secondary outcomes were arrhythmia incidence and pain incidence. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to measure the pooled data. Results A total of five randomized controlled trials were in accordance with inclusion criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with no oxygen group, the oxygen group did not significantly reduce short-term death (RR: 1.08, 95%CI: 0.31–3.74), and there was moderate heterogeneity ( I 2 = 50.8%, P < 0.107) among studies. We found a significant increase in the rate of recurrent myocardial infarction (RR: 6.73, 95%CI: 1.80–25.17, I 2 = 0.0%, P = 0.598) in the oxygen group. The oxygen group did not have a significant reduction in arrhythmia (RR: 1.12, 95%CI: 0.91–1.36; I 2 = 46.2%, P < 0.156) or pain (RR: 0.97, 95%CI: 0.91–1.04; I 2 = 7.2%, P = 0.340). Conclusions Oxygen inhalation did not benefit patients with acute myocardial infarction with normal oxygen saturation. It may increase the rate of recurrent myocardial infarction. High quality trials with larger sample sizes are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Insomnia is a common health problem, and most people who seek help for insomnia consult primary care. In primary care, insomnia treatment typically consists of hypnotic drugs, although cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is the recommended treatment. However, such treatment is currently available to few primary care patients. Objectives To evaluate the effects of a group treatment program for insomnia led by nurses in primary care. Outcomes were the Insomnia Severity Index, a 2-week sleep diary, and a questionnaire on frequency of hypnotic drug use. Design A randomized controlled trial with pre- and post-treatment assessment and a 1-year post-treatment follow-up of the intervention group. Settings Routine primary health care; 7 primary care centers in Stockholm, Sweden. Participants Patients consulting primary care for insomnia were assessed for eligibility. To be included, patients had to have insomnia disorder and be 18 years or older. Patients were excluded if they if they worked night shifts or had severe untreated somatic and/or mental illness, bipolar disorder, or untreated sleep disorder other than insomnia. One-hundred and sixty-five patients 20 to 90 years were included. Most were women, and many had co-existing somatic and/or mental health problems. The post-treatment dropout rate was 20%. Methods The intervention was a nurse-led group treatment for insomnia based on the techniques of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. The nurses had 2 days of training in how to deliver the program. Ninety patients were randomized to the intervention and 75 to the control group (treatment as usual). Data from 82 in the intervention and 71 in the control group were analyzed in accordance with intention-to-treat principles. Fifty-four of the 72 in the intervention group who participated in the group treatment program were followed up after 1 year. Results Mean Insomnia Severity Index score decreased significantly from 18.4 to 10.7 after group treatment but remained unchanged after treatment as usual (17.0 to 16.6). The effect size was large (1.23). Group treatment also resulted in significant improvements in all sleep diary variables (sleep onset latency, total sleep time, time awake after sleep onset, number of awakenings, and sleep quality). It also reduced hypnotic drug use. Improvements were maintained 1-year post-treatment. Conclusions Patients with insomnia can be treated successfully with a nurse-led group treatment program in primary health care. The results support implementation of the treatment program, particularly given the need for increased access to non-pharmacological insomnia treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Heart failure is associated with exacerbated symptoms such as dyspnea and edema and results in frequent hospitalization and a poor quality of life. With the adoption of a comprehensive nursing care and follow-up program, patients with heart failure may exhibit improvements in their self-care capabilities and their hospitalizations may be reduced. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a nursing care and follow-up program for patients with heart failure on self-care, quality of life, and rehospitalization. Design and setting This research was conducted as a single-center, single-blind, randomized controlled study at the heart failure outpatient clinic of a university hospital in Turkey. Participants A total of 90 patients with heart failure were randomly assigned into either the specialized nursing care group (n = 45) or the control group (n = 45). Methods The nursing care and follow-up program applied in the intervention group was based on the Theory of Heart Failure Self-care. Data were collected at the beginning of the trial, and at three and six months after the study commenced. Self-care of the patients was assessed by the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index. Quality of life was assessed with the “Left Ventricular Dysfunction Scale”. Rehospitalization was evaluated based on information provided by the patients or by hospital records. Results A statistically significant difference was found between the intervention and control group with respect to the self-care and quality of life scores at both three and six months. While the intervention group experienced fewer rehospitalizations at three months, no significant differences were found at six months. Conclusion The results obtained in this study show that the nursing care and follow-up program implemented for patients with heart failure improved self-care and quality of life. Although there were no significant differences between the groups at six months, fewer rehospitalizations in the intervention group was considered to be an important result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Delirium is a common disorder in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients and is associated with serious short- and long-term consequences, including re-intubations, ICU readmissions, prolonged ICU and hospital stay, persistent cognitive problems, and higher mortality rates. Considering the high incidence of delirium and its consequences, prevention of delirium is imperative. This study focuses on a program of standardized nursing and physical therapy interventions to prevent delirium in the ICU, called UNDERPIN-ICU (nUrsiNg DEliRium Preventive INterventions in the ICU). Objective : To determine the effect of the UNDERPIN-ICU program on the number of delirium-coma-free days in 28 days and several secondary outcomes, such as delirium incidence, the number of days of survival in 28 and 90 days and delirium-related outcomes. Design and setting A multicenter stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial. Methods Eight to ten Dutch ICUs will implement the UNDERPIN-ICU program in a randomized order. Every two months the UNDERPIN-ICU program will be implemented in an additional ICU following a two months period of staff training. UNDERPIN-ICU consists of standardized protocols focusing on several modifiable risk factors for delirium, including cognitive impairment, sleep deprivation, immobility and visual and hearing impairment. Participants ICU patients aged ≥18 years (surgical, medical, or trauma) and at high risk for delirium, E-PRE-DELIRIC ≥35%, will be included, unless delirium was detected prior ICU admission, expected length of ICU stay is less then one day or when delirium assessment is not possible. Discussion For every intervention the balance between putative benefit and potential unwanted side effects needs to be considered. In non-ICU patients, it has been shown that a similar program resulted in a significant reduction of delirium incidence and duration. Recent small studies using multi component interventions to prevent delirium in ICU patients have also shown beneficial effect, without unwanted side effects. We therefore feel that the proportionality of potential positive effects of the UNDERPIN-ICU program, weighed against potential unwanted side effects is favourable. Since this has not been rigorously proven in ICU patients, we will study the effects of this program in ICU patients using a stepped wedge design. Trial registration The study is registered in the clinical trials registry: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ . Reporting method Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trails (SPIRIT). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Self-management is an important step toward preventing and impeding the progression of chronic kidney disease. However, patients with chronic kidney disease may have few or no subjective symptoms and therefore might consider self-management to be unnecessary. Effective support and encouragement of self-management in patients with chronic kidney disease is therefore required. Objectives This study tested the effectiveness of the Encourage Autonomous Self-Enrichment patient education program, which supports patient autonomy and intrinsic motivations with the aim of improving self-efficacy and sustaining self-management, on perceived self-efficacy, self-management behaviors, and physiological endpoints (blood pressure and renal function parameters) in patients with chronic kidney disease. Design This was a randomized, controlled, single-blind trial with one-to-one allocation into two groups. Settings The study was conducted at 13 Japanese clinics or general hospitals that specialize in internal medicine and urology. Participants Participants included patients who were diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and were not receiving dialysis. Patients were recruited from among those attending follow-up visits at participating institutions. Methods A total of 65 participants were randomly allocated into the intervention (n = 33) and control (n = 32) groups. The intervention group followed the Encourage Autonomous Self-Enrichment program action plan for 12 weeks. The control group received standard education provided by nurses who distributed leaflets in accordance with physicians’ instructions, provided auxiliary medical services, and answered patients' questions. Results Except for 1 participant who died after 4 weeks, all 33 members of the intervention group continued the Encourage Autonomous Self-Enrichment program for 12 weeks. This program intervention yielded significant improvements in perceived self-efficacy (U = 318.5, p = 0.035, effect size r = 0.27) and self-management behaviors (U = 310.0, p = 0.026, effect size r = 0.29). There were no differences in blood pressure or renal function between the groups; however, serum potassium levels decreased in the intervention group and increased in the control group (t (58) = 1.047, p = 0.299, effect size d = 1.49). No intervention-related adverse events, such as worsening of patients' test results, were observed. Conclusions These findings indicate that the Encourage Autonomous Self-Enrichment program yielded improvements in perceived self-efficacy and self-management behaviors in patients with chronic kidney disease not treated with dialysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure is one of the most common causes of hospital readmission. Self-care is an essential but challenging task for patients with heart failure, and inadequate self-care is closely related to unplanned readmission and unnecessary health expenditure. Patient-centered education using the teach-back method emerged as a key strategy to prevent patients' adverse events by improving self-care. To evaluate the effects of discharge education using the teach-back method on self-care, self-care efficacy, symptoms of heart failure, caregiver dependency, and unplanned healthcare resource utilization among patients with heart failure. A prospective, two-arm randomized controlled trial. Four adult cardiology units at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, South Korea. A total of 100 patients diagnosed with heart failure and scheduled to be discharged to their homes. The intervention group received the HEART program® in addition to the usual discharge education by a trained nurse before discharge, while the control group received usual discharge education only. The discharge education included the definition of heart failure, medication, symptom management, diet, physical activity, and other precautions. Data on self-care (self-care maintenance; symptom-perception; self-care management), self-care efficacy, symptoms of heart failure, and caregiver dependency were measured at 7-days after discharge (T1), and unplanned healthcare resource utilization (including readmission, emergency room visit, and healthcare professional contacts) was assessed at 1-month after discharge (T2). Outcomes were analyzed with ANCOVA. A total of 94 patients (intervention group = 45, control group = 49) completed outcome measurements at the three-time points. Participants in the intervention group showed a significant improvement in self-care maintenance (F = 11.597, p = 0.001), symptom perception (F = 20.173, p < 0.001), self-care management (F = 7.205, p = 0.009), and self-care efficacy (F = 4.210, p = 0.043) compared to the control group. However, there were no statistically significant differences in symptoms of heart failure, caregiver dependency, and unplanned healthcare resource utilization between the two groups (all ps > 0.05). The findings demonstrated that discharge education using the teach-back method is an effective educational strategy to improve self-care and self-care efficacy in patients with heart failure. We recommend nurses implement discharge education using the teach-back method for patients with heart failure. This study was registered at the Clinical Research Information Service (KCT0004444) on November 15, 2019, and the participant recruitment was initiated in June 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mild cognitive impairment refers to the transitional stage between normal aging and dementia. While managing the cognitive symptoms receives most research attention, neuropsychiatric symptoms, particularly depression and anxiety, affect up to 80% of this cohort and detrimentally impact disease progression. Evidence-based interventions to support this preclinical cohort to cope with the neuropsychiatric symptoms are yet to be developed. To test the effects of an empowerment-based educative psycho-behavioral program on neuropsychiatric symptoms, cognitive function, and health-related quality of life among older adults with mild cognitive impairment and explore the engagement experience and perceived effects of the program. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design comprises a single-blinded randomized controlled trial and a descriptive qualitative study. This study was conducted in five social facilities in three major geographic districts in Hong Kong from August 2020 to November 2021. Community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 50 with mild cognitive impairment were included. A total of 171 participants were randomly assigned to either a 13-week empowerment-based educative psycho-behavioral program on stress adaptation, cognitive coping and knowledge enhancement (intervention group; n = 86), or a generic health education program (control group; n = 85). Mild Behavioral Impairment Checklist, Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form, Apathy Evaluation Scale, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Memory Inventory for Chinese, and Short Form Health Survey were administered at baseline, immediately after the program completion, and four weeks thereafter. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the engagement experience and perceived effects of the program. The mean age of the participants was 69.1 years (SD = 8.1), and 87.7% were female. Using generalized estimating equation, the intervention group had significantly greater improvement in overall neuropsychiatric symptoms (β = − 1.49, p = 0.044), apathy (β = 2.14, p = 0.018), anxiety (β = − 0.53, p = 0.009), and subjective memory complaints (β = − 1.97, p = 0.003) than the control group upon completion of the intervention, such positive effects lasted to four weeks thereafter. Delayed effects were also shown on depression (β = 0.86, p = 0.008) and global cognitive function (β = 0.86, p = 0.008). The qualitative data converges with the quantitative evaluation; the participants indicated that the increased coping for daily hassles and emotional arousal, together with a more positive orientation towards living a fulfilling life and the future, may explain such encouraging effects. This study revealed the beneficial effects of the empowerment-based educative psycho-behavioral program on improving neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive function of older adults with mild cognitive impairment. The findings support the application of a comprehensive empowerment approach to enhance psychological well-being of this cohort. HKUCTR-2915 (HKU Clinical Trial Registry). Neuropsychiatric symptoms received less attention in the management of mild cognitive impairment. An empowerment-based educative psycho-behavioral program shows benefits on these prevalent manifestations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Child-to-parent violence is an often hidden serious problem for parental caregivers of mentally ill adult children who experience violence toward them. To date, the comprehensive dyadic parent-adult child intervention to manage child-to-parent violence is scarce. Objective To evaluate the effect of Child- and Parent-focused Violence Program, an adjunctive intervention involved with both violent adult children with mental illness and their victimized biological parent (parent–adult child dyads) on violence management. Design Open-label randomized controlled trial. Setting A psychiatric ward in a teaching hospital and two mental hospitals in Southern Taiwan. Participants Sixty-nine patients aged ≥20 years, with thought or mood disorders, having violent behavior in the past 6 months toward their biological parent of either gender were recruited. The violent patients’ victimized biological parents who had a major and ongoing role in provision of care to these patients, living together with and being assaulted by their violent children were also recruited. The parent–adult child dyads were selected. Methods The intervention was carried out from 2011 to 2013. The parent–adult child dyads were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (36 dyads), which received Child- and Parent-focused Violence Intervention Program, or to the control group (33 dyads), which received only routine psychiatric care. The intervention included two individualized sessions for each patient and parent, separately, and 2 conjoint sessions for each parental-child dyad for a total of 6 sessions. Each session lasted for at least 60-min. Data collection was conducted at 3 different time frames: pre-treatment, post-treatment, and treatment follow-up (one month after the completion of the intervention). Results Occurrence of violence prior to intervention was comparable between two groups: 88.9% ( n = 32) parents in the experimental group versus 93.9% ( n = 31) in the control group experienced verbal attack, and 50% ( n = 18) versus 48.5% ( n = 16) received body attack and were injured. The intervention significantly reduced violence, improved impulsivity, changed patients’ and parents’ violence attributions, and fostering active coping processes in the experimental group as compared to the control group ( p < 0.05). No significant reductions were found in verbal aggression, cognitive and social reactions in the parent's reactions to assault, attentional subscale of impulsivity and wishful thinking ( p > 0.05). Conclusions Child- and Parent-focused Violence Intervention Program is effective on child-to-parent violence management in parent–adult child dyads. Thus, the intervention can be helpful for patients who have just been diagnosed with mental illness and had an episode of violence toward their parents within a narrow time frame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Lifestyle modification is often difficult for middle-aged and older women living in the community who are at high risk of physical inactivity and metabolic syndrome. Objectives To examine the effects of telephone-based motivational interviewing in a 12-week lifestyle modification program on physical activity, MetS, metabolic risks (fasting plasma glucose, blood pressure, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, and central obesity), and the number of metabolic risks in community-living middle-aged and older women diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. Research design and method A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Recruited were 328 middle-aged and older women from a community health center in Taiwan. Eligible women medically diagnosed with metabolic syndrome ( n = 115) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: The experimental group received an individualized telephone delivered lifestyle modification program that included motivational interviewing delivered by an experienced nurse. The brief group received a single brief lifestyle modification counseling session with a brochure. The usual care group received standard care. Physical activity was assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and metabolic risks were determined by serum markers and anthropometric measures at pre- and post-intervention. One hundred women completed the study and an intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the intervention effects. Results Women in the experimental group increased physical activity from 1609 to 1892 MET-min/week ( β = 846, p = .01), reduced the percentage of diagnosed with metabolic syndrome to 81.6% ( β = −0.17, p = .003), and decreased the number of metabolic risks from 4.0 to 3.6 ( β = −0.50, p < .001), compared to the usual care group (4.4–4.6). There was not a reduction in the percentage of diagnosed with metabolic syndrome in the brief group, but they had fewer metabolic risks after 12 weeks (mean = 4.0 vs. 4.6, β = −0.2, p = .02) compared to the usual care group. Conclusions Motivational interviewing as a component of an individualized physical activity and lifestyle modification program has positive benefit in reducing metabolic risks in middle-aged and older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Physical activity holds promise for mobility-impaired older adults to prevent further disabilities and improve their health. However, staffing constraints have made it challenging to promote physical activity in long-term care facilities. Objectives To test the feasibility and effects of 12 months Wheelchair-bound Senior Elastic Band (WSEB) group-exercises that were led by volunteers for the first six months followed by the DVD-guided for another six months on functional fitness, activities of daily living (ADL), and sleep quality of nursing home older adults in wheelchairs. Design Cluster randomized controlled trial with two groups, pre-test and post-tests. Settings Ten nursing homes, Taiwan. Participants 127 participants participated voluntarily; 107 of them completed the study. Inclusion criteria: (1) aged 65 years and over, (2) using wheelchairs for mobility, (3) living in facility for at least three months, (4) cognitively intact, and (5) heavy or moderate dependency in ADL. Majority of participants were middle-old older adults (75–84 years old, 53.2%), female (51.4%), and had chronic illnesses (98.1%). Methods Participants were randomly assigned by facility to either the experimental (five nursing homes, n = 56) or control group (five nursing homes, n = 51). The WSEB program was conducted three times per week and 40 min per session in two stages: volunteer-led for the first six months (stage I) followed by the DVD-guided modality for another six months (stage II). The primary outcomes (functional fitness: lung capacity, body flexibility, range of joint motion, and muscle strength and endurance) and the secondary outcomes (ADL measured by the Barthel Index; sleep quality measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) of the participants were measured at three time points: pre-test, at the six-month interval, and at the end of 12 months of the study. No blinding was applied. Results All of the functional fitness indicators of the experimental group participants improved significantly ( p < .05), and were all better than the control group at six-month and 12-month of the study ( p < .05). No symptoms of discomfort occurred during interventions. Conclusions Nursing home older adults in wheelchairs who received WSEB exercise training had better functional fitness, ADL, and sleep quality than those who did not. It was a feasible way of carrying out this exercise program by using the volunteer-led followed by the DVD-guided modalities. The program can be applied in institutional settings routinely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the cost-effectiveness of nurse practitioners delivering transitional care. Design: Systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Data sources: Ten electronic databases, bibliographies, hand-searches, study authors, and websites. Review methods: We included randomised controlled trials that compared formally trained nurse practitioners to usual care and measured health system outcomes. Two reviewers independently screened articles and assessed study quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias and the Quality of Health Economic Studies tools. We pooled data for similar outcomes and applied the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation tool to rate the quality of evidence for each outcome. Results: Five trialsmet the inclusion criteria. One evaluated one alternative provider nurse practitioner (154 patients) and four evaluated six complementary provider nurse practitioners (1017 patients). Two were at low and three at high risk of bias and all had weak economic analyses. The alternative provider nurse practitioner had similar patient outcomes and resource use to the physician (low quality). Complementary provider nurse practitioners scored similarly to the control group in patient outcomes except for anxiety in rehabilitation patients (MD: 15.7, 95%CI: 20.73 to 10.67, p < 0.001) (very low quality) and patient satisfaction after an abdominal hysterectomy (MD: 14, 95%CI: 3.5-24.5, p < 0.01) (low quality), both favouring nurse practitioner care. Meta-analyses of index re-hospitalisation up to 42 days (n = 766, pooled relative risk (RR): 0.69, 95%CI: 0.34-1.43, I² = 0%) and any re-hospitalisation up to 180 days (n = 800, pooled RR: 0.87, 95%CI: 0.69-1.09, I² = 32%) were inconclusive (low quality). Complementary provider nurse practitioners significantly reduced index re-hospitalisation over 90 days (RR: 0.55, 95%CI: 0.32-0.94, p = 0.03) and 180 days (RR: 0.62, 95%CI: 0.40-0.95, p = 0.03) in complex care patients (both low quality) and they significantly reduced the number and duration of rehabilitation patient-to-staff consultation calls (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Given the low quality evidence, weak economic analyses, small sample sizes, and small number of nurse practitioners evaluated in each study, evidence of the cost-effectiveness of nurse practitioner-transitional care is inconclusive and further research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of an interpersonal-psychotherapy-oriented postnatal psychoeducation programme on postpartum depressive symptoms, social support and maternal role competence in Chinese first-time mothers. Method: A randomized, controlled trial was conducted in the postnatal unit of a regional hospital in China. The intervention consisted of a 1-h education session before discharge and one telephone follow-up within the 2 weeks after discharge from the hospital. One hundred and eighty first-time Chinese mothers were randomly assigned to the study group (n = 90) or the control group (n = 90). Outcomes of the study included symptoms of postpartum depression, social support and maternal role competence which were measured by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale and the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale-Efficacy subscale, respectively. Results: Women receiving the postnatal psychoeducation programme had significantly fewer depressive symptoms (Mean [SD] = 7.61 [3.43] versus 8.96 [4.55]; t = -2.24; p = 0.026), higher level of social support (Mean [SD] = 65.44 [8.43] versus 61.82 [9.99]; t = 2.63; p = 0.009) and better maternal role competence (Mean [SD] = 35.87 [4.41] versus 32.79 [6.86]; t = 3.59; p < 0.001) at 6 weeks postpartum as compared with those who received routine postnatal care. Conclusion: An interpersonal-psychotherapy-oriented postnatal psychoeducation programme may have the potential to facilitate the Chinese first-time mothers' transition to motherhood. A larger trial is needed to test for therapist effects, a full economic evaluation, and whether the intervention is acceptable to staff and feasible to use in current practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is recommended for elders, especially those with chronic conditions. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if an additional multi-component health education intervention increases the uptake rate of the pneumococcal vaccination among older patients with chronic diseases. Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted from 3 December 2007 to 7 March 2008. The clusters were the individual weeks within five Hong Kong outpatient clinics over a 10-week period. A sample of 2517 patients aged 65 or above with chronic diseases was recruited. Intervention group received a 3-min brief telephone education intervention before and a 3-min face-to-face intervention during scheduled medical appointments at the respective clinics. All subjects received standard care including health education leaflets and/or a video show at the clinics. Pneumococcal vaccination rate and awareness of the vaccination at 3-month follow up were measured. Results: The vaccination rate was higher in the intervention group compared to the control group (57% vs 48%; relative risk = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.06-1.37), but the two groups did not differ significantly in their awareness of the vaccination at 3-month follow up (65% vs 59%, relative risk = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.69-1.07). Discussion: A nurse-delivered brief health education intervention was effective in increasing uptake of pneumococcal vaccination among older patients with chronic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Regular exercise and dietary practices have been shown to affect the health- related quality of life (HRQOL) and survival of breast cancer patients. Objective: The current study aimed to investigate whether the WSEDI was a feasible and primarily effective method for promoting exercise and dietary behaviours for breast cancer patients. Design: A 12-week randomized, controlled trial. Setting: Oncology outpatient treatment clinics at 3 university hospitals and 1 National Cancer Center in South Korea. Participants: Fifty-nine breast cancer patients who had received curative surgery and completed primary cancer treatment within 12 months prior to the study and who had been diagnosed with stage 0-III cancers within 2 years prior to the study were recruited. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which used a Web-based self-management exercise and diet intervention program incorporating transtheoretical model (TTM)-based strategies (n = 29), or to the control group, which used a 50-page educational booklet on exercise and diet (n = 28). The intervention efficacy was measured at the baseline and 12 weeks via a Web-based survey that addressed the promotion of exercise and consumption of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables (F&V) per day, dietary quality, HRQOL, anxiety, depression, fatigue, motivational readiness, and self- efficacy. Results: The proportion of subjects who performed at least moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for at least 150 min per week; ate 5 servings of F&V per day; and had overall improvements in dietary quality, physical functioning and appetite loss (HRQOL), fatigue, and motivational readiness was greater in the intervention group than in the control group. The self-efficacy with respect to exercise and F&V consumption was greater in the intervention group than in the control group. A Web-based program that targets changes in exercise and dietary behaviours might be effective for breast cancer survivors if the TTM theory has been used to inform the program strategy, although further research with a larger sample size is required to enable definitive conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lifestyle modification is an integral component of cardiac secondary prevention, while it has been confirmed that myocardial infarction (MI) patients' health-related behaviors are heavily influenced by their illness perception. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of a telephone follow-up intervention for improving MI patients' illness perception and lifestyle. Design: A randomized controlled trial, longitudinal research design was employed. Settings: Cardiac care units in four major general hospitals in Guangzhou, China. Participants: Inclusion criteria were being diagnosed with an initial acute MI, being able to communicate orally in Mandarin or Cantonese and read in Chinese, and living in Guangzhou. Exclusion criteria were with continuing uncontrolled arrhythmias or heart failure, being illiteracy, or with a history of major psychiatric illness, exercise-induced asthma, uncontrolled diabetes, or evidence of dementia. Method: 124 patients admitted with the first acute MI were randomized to receive either routine care or routine care plus a telephone follow-up intervention, which consist of a pre-discharge education and three telephone follow-up instructions. Data were collected before discharge, at the 6th and the 12th week after discharge from hospital, respectively. Results: At the 6th and the 12th week after discharge, patients in the intervention group had significantly positive perceptions about symptoms of MI (mean difference 3.27, 95% confidence interval 2.48-4.07, p < .001; mean difference 2.12, 95% confidence interval 1.34-2.89, p < .001 respectively) and how long their illness would last (mean difference -0.69, 95% confidence interval -0.91 to -0.47, p < .001; mean difference -0.74, 95% confidence interval -0.96 to -0.51, p < .001 respectively) compared with the control group. The intervention group also had more positive beliefs about the controllability (F = 4.23, p = .04) and more improved beliefs about the causes of MI than the control group. Moreover, the intervention improved the patients' nutrition (F = 5.16, p = .03) and physical activity at the 12-week follow-up (mean difference 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.17-0.58, p < .001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many strategies have been evaluated to improve the prevention and control of cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors. Nursing telephonic and tele-counseling individualized lifestyle educational programs have been found to improve blood pressure control and adherence to lifestyle recommendation. This study tested the efficacy of a nurse-led reminder program through email (NRP-e) to improve CVD risk factors among hypertensive adults. Methods: All participants received usual CVD prevention and a guideline-based educational program. Subjects in the NRP-e group also received weekly email alerts and phone calls from a nurse care manager for 6 months. Emails contained a reminder program on the need for adherence with a healthy lifestyle based upon current guidelines. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 1, 3 and 6 months after enrollment; randomization was made centrally and blood samples were evaluated into a single laboratory. Results: The final sample consisted of 98 (control) and 100 (NRP-e) subjects (mean age 59.0 ± 14.5 years; 51.0% males). After 6 months, the following CVD risk factors significantly improved in both groups: body mass index, alcohol and fruit consumption, cigarette smoking, adherence to therapy hours, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and total cholesterol, triglycerides, and physical activity. In the NRP-e group, however, the prevalence of several behaviors or conditions at risk decreased significantly more than in the control group: obesity (-16%), low fruit consumption (-24%), uncontrolled hypertension (-61%), LDL (-56%), and total cholesterol (-40%). Conclusions: The NRP-e improved a range of CVD risk factors. The program had low costs, required only an average of <20 min per day in addition to normal practice, and may deserve further evaluation for the inclusion among existing care management approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for generating evidence to inform clinical oncology practice. Knowledge gained through qualitative research methodologies can be complementary to that gained through RCTs. How qualitative research has been combined with RCTs in oncology has not been previously characterized. This scoping review was conducted to summarize how qualitative research associated with RCTs in the oncology setting has been conducted and examine the quality of reporting. Manuscripts reporting on qualitative research linked with RCTs in the cancer context that involved patients (both adult and pediatric) and/or informal caregiver (friends/family) were included. Peer-reviewed manuscripts indexed in MEDLINE (OVID) and CINAHL, published in English between 2008 and January 2019. Formal scoping review methods were followed. A data extraction tool informed by the research questions as well as the COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research (COREQ) was utilized. Extraction was conducted independently by two authors, with disagreements resolved by a third. Fifty-four articles were included. Assessing information sharing, diet/exercise, and psychotherapeutic interventions were the most common focuses of the RCTs. The most common focus of the qualitative component was on gaining insight into the experience of receiving the intervention or participating in RCT procedures. How the intervention impacted the cancer experience was not a common focus of the qualitative components. Some reports provided insufficient information to understand how the qualitative components aligned with the RCT components. The results of the qualitative and RCT components were not integrated to draw meaningful conclusions about the efficacy of the intervention under study in most cases. Reports focusing on only qualitative methods had higher median (Mdn) reporting of COREQ items compared to reports that included both the qualitative and RCT components (Mdn = 18 vs. Mdn = 14, respectively; p <0.001). This review identified that qualitative research has been combined with RCTs in the cancer context in a number of ways, most commonly to understand the experience of receiving study interventions or participating in trial procedures. Exploring how interventions impact other aspects of the cancer experience is an approach that should be considered in future work. Formalized guidelines for the design and reporting of investigations that combine qualitative and RCT approaches in the cancer context are expected to be of value. Tweetable abstract: Combining qualitative research with randomized controlled trials in oncology: an impornt opportunity for discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atrial fibrillation is globally the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia which increases patient morbidity and mortality, dramatically influencing well-being. Despite substantial efforts, an optimal clinical pathway for chronic atrial fibrillation management has yet to be developed. In recent practice, a multidisciplinary team management has been recommended for patients with atrial fibrillation. However, experiments exploring nurse-led multidisciplinary team management in chronic atrial fibrillation management relative to standard clinical management are still sparse and limited. To evaluate the effects of a nurse-led multidisciplinary team approach on cardiovascular hospitalization and death, and quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation. Randomized controlled trial. The Cardiology Department of a tertiary referral hospital in Beijing, China. Eligible patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation who consented. Subjects were randomly assigned into one of two Cardiology Units upon admission. Patients in the control group (n = 119) received usual care and those in the intervention group (n = 116) underwent a nurse-led multidisciplinary team approach. Follow-up lasted for 12 months. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular hospitalization and cardiovascular death. The secondary endpoint was the differences in the quality of life between the groups observed at 6 months and 12 months of follow-up, compared to the baseline data, as determined using a Chinese version of the Medical Outcome Study Short-Form 36 General Health Survey. Patients under intervention showed a fewer cardiovascular hospitalization (17 vs. 35, p = 0.006) than those receiving usual care. Discernible differences were also observed in rates of cardiovascular hospitalization between the two groups (hazard ratio: 2.115, 95% confidential interval: 1.228–3.643, log-rank = 6.746, p = 0.009). Quality of life was improved in both groups, but more so in the intervention group (scores, 588.0 ± 106.0 vs. 519.1 ± 120.7 at 6 months and 674.4 ± 53.4 vs. 584.1 ± 105.9 at 12 months; both p < 0.001). Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated that group-by-time and between-subjects effects in respect of patients' quality of life (F = 9.310, p < 0.01; F = 29.042, p < 0.01, respectively). No relationships were found with cardiovascular death. Nurse-led multidisciplinary team management reduces cardiovascular hospitalization and improves quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation, suggesting that this innovative management approach should be implemented in clinical practice. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1800018851). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Improving hand hygiene compliance is still a major challenge for most hospitals. Innovative approaches are needed. Objective: We tested whether an innovative, theory based, team and leaders-directed strategy would be more effective in increasing hand hygiene compliance rates in nurses than a literature based state-of-the-art strategy. Design and setting: A cluster randomised controlled trial called HELPING HANDS was conducted in 67 nursing wards of three hospitals in the Netherlands. Participants: All affiliated nurses of the nursing wards. Wards were randomly assigned to either the team and leaders-directed strategy (30 wards) or the state-of-the-art strategy (37 wards). Methods: The control arm received a state-of-the-art strategy including education, reminders, feedback and targeting adequate products and facilities. The experimental group received all elements of the state-of-the-art strategy supplemented with interventions based on social influence and leadership, comprising specific team and leaders-directed activities. Strategies were delivered during a period of six months. We monitored nurses' HH compliance during routine patient care before and directly after strategy delivery, as well as six months later. Secondary outcomes were compliance with each type of hand hygiene opportunity, the presence of jewellery and whether the nurses wore long-sleeved clothes. The effects were evaluated on an intention-to-treat basis by comparing the post-strategy hand hygiene compliance rates with the baseline rates. Multilevel analysis was applied to compensate for the clustered nature of the data using mixed linear modelling techniques. Results: During the study, we observed 10,785 opportunities for appropriate hand hygiene in 2733 nurses. The compliance in the state-of-the-art group increased from 23% to 42% in the short term and to 46% in the long run. The hand hygiene compliance in the team and leaders-directed group improved from 20% to 53% in the short term and remained 53% in the long run. The difference between both strategies showed an Odds Ratio of 1.64 (95% CI 1.33-2.02) in favour of the team and leaders-directed strategy. Conclusions: Our results support the added value of social influence and enhanced leadership in hand hygiene improvement strategies. The methodology of the latter also seems promising for improving team performance with other patient safety issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Both continuous and intermittent aspiration of subglottic secretions by means of specially designed endotracheal tubes containing a separate dorsal lumen that opens into the subglottic region have been shown to be useful in reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). However, the high cost of these tubes restricts their use. Objective: The aim of this pilot randomized controlled trial was to test the effect of a low-cost device (saliva ejector) for continuous oral suctioning (COS) on the incidence of VAP in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Methods: The study was conducted in the six-bed medical-surgical ICU of a hospital with over 400 beds that provides comprehensive medical services to the public. The design of this study was a parallel-group randomized controlled trial. While both the experimental and control groups used the conventional endotracheal tube, the saliva ejector was only applied to patients assigned to the experimental group. The device was put between the patient''s cheek and teeth, and then connected to 100mmHg of suction for the continuous drainage of saliva. Results: Fourteen patients were randomized to receive COS and 13 patients were randomized to the control group. The two groups were similar in demographics, reasons for intubation, co-morbidity, and risk factors for acquiring VAP. VAP was found in 3 patients (23.1%; 71 episodes of VAP per 1000 ventilation days) receiving COS and in 10 patients (83.3%; 141 episodes of VAP per 1000 ventilation days) in the control group (relative risk, 0.28; 95% confidence interval, 0.10–0.77; p =0.003). The duration of mechanical ventilation in the experimental group was 3.2 days (SD 1.3), while that in the control group was 5.9 days (SD 2.8) (p =0.009); and the length of ICU stay was 4.8 days (SD 1.6) versus 9.8 days (SD 6.3) for the experimental and control groups, respectively (p =0.019). Conclusion: Continuous clearance of oral secretion by the saliva ejector may have an important role to play in reducing the rate of VAP, decreasing the duration of mechanical ventilation, and shortening the length of stay of patients in the ICU. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To examine the effect of an advocacy intervention on the use of safety-promoting behaviors in community-dwelling abused Chinese women as compared to a control condition of usual care. Design: This efficacy trial used a randomized controlled, parallel group design. Participants and methods: A total of 200 Chinese women in a community setting who screened positive for intimate partner violence using the Chinese version of the Abuse Assessment Screen were randomized to receive either an advocacy intervention (intervention group, n =100) or usual community care (control group, n =100). The outcome measured was the change in the self-reported safety-promoting behaviors as measured by the Safety-promoting Behavior Checklist over three time-points (baseline, 3-month follow-up and 9-month follow-up). Participants and assessors were blinded to the study hypothesis. Assessors were further blinded to the group membership of the participants. Results: The Safety-promoting Behavior Checklist scores in the intervention group increased from the baseline on average by 5.65 (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.92–6.39) at 3-month and 6.65 (95% CI, 5.90–7.39) at 9-month follow-ups, while the scores in the control group also increased by 1.71 (95% CI, 1.06–2.37) at 3-month and 1.79 (95% CI, 1.15–2.43) at 9-month follow-ups. After adjusting for baseline differences, the between-group differences in scores were significant at 3-month and 9-month follow-ups (p =0.04). The intervention group increased the scores by 3.61 (95% CI, 2.61–4.61, p <0.001) more than the control group at 3-month and by 4.53 (95% CI, 3.53–5.53, p <0.001) at 9-month follow-ups. Conclusion: An advocacy intervention is efficacious in increasing the use of safety-promoting behaviors as compared to usual community care in community-dwelling abused Chinese women. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Ethnic minority adolescent women with a history of sexual or physical abuse and sexually transmitted infections represent a vulnerable population at risk for HIV. Community-based interventions for behavior modification and subsequent risk reduction have not been effective among these women. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of a theory-based (AIDS Risk Reduction Model) cognitive behavioral intervention model versus enhanced counseling for abused ethnic minority adolescent women on infection with sexually transmitted infection at 6 and 12 months follow-up. Design: Controlled randomized trial with longitudinal follow-up. Settings: Southwestern United States, Metropolitan community-based clinic. Participants: Mexican-and-African American adolescent women aged 14–18 years with a history of abuse or sexually transmitted infection seeking sexual health care. Methods: Extensive preliminary study for intervention development was conducted including individual interviews, focus groups, secondary data analysis, pre-testing and feasibility testing for modification of an evidence-based intervention prior to testing in the randomized controlled trial. Following informed consents for participation in the trial, detailed interviews concerning demographics, abuse history, sexual risk behavior, sexual health and physical exams were obtained. Randomization into either control or intervention groups was conducted. Intervention participants received workshop, support group and individual counseling sessions. Control participants received abuse and enhanced clinical counseling. Follow-up including detailed interview and physical exam was conducted at 6 and 12 months following study entry to assess for infection. Intention to treat analysis was conducted to assess intervention effects using chi-square and multiple regression models. Results: 409 Mexican-(n =342) and African-(n =67) American adolescent women with abuse and sexually transmitted infection histories were enrolled; 90% intervention group attendance; longitudinal follow-up at 6 (93%) and 12 (94%) months. Intervention (n =199) versus control (n =210) group participants experienced fewer infections at 0–6 (0% versus 6.6%, p =.001), 6–12 (3.6% versus 7.8%, p =.005, CI 95% lower-upper .001–.386) and 0–12 (4.8% versus 13.2%, p =.002, CI 95% lower-upper, .002–.531) month intervals. Conclusions: A cognitive behavioral intervention specifically designed for ethnic minority adolescent women with a history of abuse and sexually transmitted infection was effective for prevention of infection. These results provide evidence for development of evidence-based interventions for sexually transmitted infection/HIV. Implications include translation to community-clinic-based settings for prevention of adverse outcomes regarding sexual health of adolescent women. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction: Women''s traditional way of breastfeeding has altered in Jordan with rates declining in recent years. Objective: The objectives of this study were to test whether the introduction of an educational program supporting breastfeeding would increase the proportion of women who breastfed fully to six months, improve the women''s level of breastfeeding knowledge, and decrease the proportion of infants admitted to hospitals due to gastrointestinal illnesses. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 90 primiparous women who had given birth to a healthy, full term, singleton baby at two hospitals in the southern region of Jordan. Women were randomly allocated to either the intervention group (n =45), in which they were offered a one-to-one postnatal educational session and follow-up phone calls at two months and four months postpartum, or the control group (n =45), in which they received routine postnatal care. The primary outcomes were the proportion of women fully breastfeeding their babies at six months and the women''s level of breastfeeding knowledge at six months postpartum. Results: The postnatal education and support program significantly improved breastfeeding knowledge measured by differences between mean pre- and post-test scores. This was statistically significant for the intervention group (p <0.001) but was not significant for the control (p =0.23). The proportion of women fully breastfeeding their babies at 6 months was not found to be statistically significantly different between the intervention group (39%) and the control group (27%), percentage difference=12% (95% confidence interval [−9% to 30%], Chi squared: χ 2 =3.54, p >0.05). Conclusions: Although the postnatal education and support program improved breastfeeding knowledge among women in the study, this increase in knowledge did not translate to an increase in the duration of full breastfeeding to six months. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Peer support in the early postpartum period is effective in the prevention of postpartum depression among women identified as high-risk. Objectives: To describe maternal perceptions of peer support received while participating in a trial. Design: Cross-sectional survey of women participating in a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of peer support in the prevention of postpartum depression. Setting: Seven health regions across Ontario Canada. Participants: 701 women were recruited between November 2004 and September 2006. Women eligible for the study were all mothers with an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score >9 who were within 2 weeks postpartum, at least 18 years of age, able to speak English, had a live birth, and had been discharged home from the hospital. Exclusion criteria included an infant not discharged home with the mother and current use of antidepressant or antipsychotic medication. Two hundred and twenty-one mothers completed the mailed questionnaire. Methods: Women were randomly allocated to receive usual postpartum care (control group) or usual postpartum care plus telephone-based peer support (intervention group). Maternal perceptions of peer support were evaluated at 12 weeks postpartum using the validated Peer Support Evaluation Inventory. Results: Interactions provided by the peer volunteer included the provision of emotional (92.7%), informational (72.4%), and appraisal (72.0%) support. Mothers reported high levels of positive relationship qualities such as trust (83.6%) and perceived acceptance (79.1%). Most (80.5%) mothers indicated they were very satisfied with their peer support experience. Maternal satisfaction was associated with the number and duration of peer volunteer contacts. Conclusions: The majority of mothers perceived their peer volunteer experience positively lending further support to telephone-based peer support as a preventative strategy for postpartum depression. The following program modifications were suggested: (a) adapt training to enhance the provision of appraisal support; (b) improve matching of volunteers to participants based on age, number of children, and breastfeeding status; and (c) ensure participating mothers want to receive peer support in order to facilitate the development of relationships with their assigned peers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Preterm birth often negatively influences mother–infant interaction. Skin-to-skin contact postbirth has positive effects on maternal feelings toward their preterm infants and on infant development and family interaction. However, little is known about the long-term effects of skin-to-skin contact on mother–late preterm infant interaction when skin-to-skin contact was experienced early postbirth and intermittently throughout the next five days. Objective: The purpose of this report was to examine the effect of skin-to-skin contact on mother–late preterm infant interaction through 18 months. Design: Randomized controlled trial with follow-up. Setting: Two hospitals in the United States of America. Participants: 100 mothers and their late preterm infants, 32 to <37 weeks’ gestation, were recruited. Mother–preterm infant interactions were assessed in 69, 70, and 76 dyads at 6, 12, and 18 months. Methods: Mothers and their preterm infants were videotaped during a feeding session at 6 and 12 months, and a teaching session at 6, 12, and 18 months. Their interactions were then scored using the Nursing Child Assessment Satellite Feeding Scale and Teaching Scale. Results: Skin-to-skin contact and control dyads had comparable feeding scores at 6 and 12 months. Skin-to-skin contact infants had lower infant teaching scores at six months, a difference that disappeared thereafter. Conclusions: These inconclusive results call for additional studies with larger doses of skin-to-skin contact, larger sample sizes, and other outcome measures of mother–late preterm infant interactions. Such measures include the Parent–Child Early Relational Assessment and behavioral coding during play. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remain significant public health problems. The effect of ACS on mortality and morbidity is largely dependent on the time from symptom onset to the time of reperfusion, but patient delay in presenting for treatment is the main reason timely reperfusion is not received. Objectives: We tested the effect of an education and counseling intervention on knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about ACS symptoms and the appropriate response to symptoms, and identified patient characteristics associated with changes in knowledge, attitudes and beliefs over time. Methods: We conducted a two-group randomized controlled trial in 3522 people with CHD. The intervention group received a 40min, one-on-one education and counseling session. The control group received usual care. Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs were measured at baseline, 3 and 12 months using the ACS Response Index and analyzed with repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs scores increased significantly from baseline in the intervention group compared to the control group at 3 months, and these differences were sustained at 12 months (p =.0005 for all). Higher perceived control over cardiac illness was associated with more positive attitudes (p <.0005) and higher state anxiety was associated with lower levels of knowledge (p <.05), attitudes (p <.05) and beliefs (p <.0005). Conclusion: A relatively short education and counseling intervention increased knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about ACS and response to ACS symptoms in individuals with CHD. Higher perceived control over cardiac illness was associated with more positive attitudes and higher state anxiety was associated with lower levels of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about responding to the health threat of possible ACS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Associated with decreases in quality of life, constipation is a relatively common problem. Abdominal massage appears to increase bowel function, but unlike laxatives with no negative side effects. Because earlier studies have methodological flaws and cannot provide recommendations, more research is needed. Objective: This study investigates the effects of abdominal massage on gastrointestinal functions and laxative intake in people who have constipation. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Participants and method: A sample of 60 people with constipation was included and randomized in two groups. The intervention group received abdominal massage in addition to an earlier prescribed laxative and the control group received only laxatives according to earlier prescriptions. Gastrointestinal function was assessed with Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale (GSRS) on three occasions; at baseline, week 4 and week 8. The statistical methods included linear regression, Wilcoxon sign rank test, and Mann–Whitney U-test. Result: Abdominal massage significantly decreased severity of gastrointestinal symptoms assessed with GSRS according to total score (p =.003), constipation syndrome (p =.013), and abdominal pain syndrome (p =.019). The intervention group also had significant increase of bowel movements compared to the control group (p =.016). There was no significant difference in the change of the amount of laxative intake after 8 weeks. Conclusions: Abdominal massage decreased severity of gastrointestinal symptoms, especially constipation and abdominal pain syndrome, and increased bowel movements. The massage did not lead to decrease in laxative intake, a result that indicates that abdominal massage could be a complement to laxatives rather than a substitute. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Globally, a rising number of people live into advanced age and die with multimorbidity and frailty. Palliative care is advocated as a person-centred approach to reduce health-related suffering and promote quality of life. However, no evidence-based interventions exist to deliver community-based palliative care for this population. To evaluate the impact of the short-term integrated palliative and supportive care intervention for older people living with chronic noncancer conditions and frailty on clinical and economic outcomes and perceptions of care. Single-blind trial with random block assignment to usual care or the intervention and usual care. The intervention comprised integrated person-centred palliative care delivered by multidisciplinary palliative care teams working with general practitioners and community nurses. Main outcome was change in five key palliative care symptoms from baseline to 12-weeks. Data analysis used intention to treat and complete cases to examine the mean difference in change scores and effect size between the trial arms. Economic evaluation used cost-effectiveness planes and qualitative interviews explored perceptions of the intervention. Four National Health Service general practices in England with recruitment of patients aged ≥75 years, with moderate to severe frailty, chronic noncancer condition(s) and ≥2 symptoms or concerns, and family caregivers when available. 50 patients were randomly assigned to receive usual care (n = 26, mean age 86.0 years) or the intervention and usual care (n = 24, mean age 85.3 years), and 26 caregivers (control n = 16, mean age 77.0 years; intervention n = 10, mean age 77.3 years). Participants lived at home (n = 48) or care home (n = 2). Complete case analysis (n = 48) on the main outcome showed reduced symptom distress between the intervention compared with usual care (mean difference -1.20, 95% confidence interval -2.37 to -0.027) and medium effect size (omega squared = 0.071). Symptom distress reduced with decreased costs from the intervention compared with usual care, demonstrating cost-effectiveness. Patient (n = 19) and caregiver (n = 9) interviews generated themes about the intervention of 'Little things make a big difference' with optimal management of symptoms and 'Care beyond medicines' of psychosocial support to accommodate decline and maintain independence. This palliative and supportive care intervention is an effective and cost-effective approach to reduce symptom distress for older people severely affected by chronic noncancer conditions. It is a clinically effective way to integrate specialist palliative care with primary and community care for older people with chronic conditions. Further research is indicated to examine its implementation more widely for people at home and in care homes. Trial registration : Controlled-Trials.com ISRCTN 45837097 Tweetable abstract : Specialist palliative care integrated with district nurses and GPs is cost-effective to reduce symptom distress for older people severely affected by chronic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caregivers of patients with chronic conditions or disability experience fatigue, burden and poor health-related quality of life. There is evidence of the effectiveness of support interventions for decreasing this impact. However, little is known about the benefits of home-based nursing intervention in primary health care. To evaluate the effectiveness of a home-based, nurse-led-intervention (CuidaCare) on the quality of life of caregivers of individuals with disabilities or chronic conditions living in the community, measured at 12-month follow-up. A pragmatic, two-arm, cluster-randomized controlled trial with a 1-year follow-up period was performed between June 2013 and December 2015. Consecutive caregivers aged 65 years or older, all of whom assumed the primary responsibility of caring for people with disabling conditions for at least 6 months a year, were recruited from 22 primary health care centers. Subsequently, 11 centers were randomly assigned to usual care group, and 11 were assigned to the intervention group. The caregivers in the intervention group received the usual care and additional support (cognitive restructuring, health education and emotional support). The primary outcome was quality of life, assessed with the EQ-5D instrument (visual analog scale and utility index score); the secondary outcome variables were perception of burden, anxiety, and depression. Data were collected at baseline, at the end of the intervention, and at the 6- and 12-month follow-up visits. We analyzed the primary outcome as intention-to-treat, and missing data were added using the conditional mean single imputation method. A total of 224 caregivers were included in the study (102 in the intervention group and 122 in the usual care group). Generalized Estimating Equation models showed that the CuidaCare intervention was associated with a 5.46 point (95% CI: 2.57; 8.35) change in the quality of life, as measured with the visual analog scale adjusted for the rest of the variables at 12 months. It also produced an increase of 0.04 point (95% CI: 0.01; 0.07) in the utilities. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups at 12 months with respect to the secondary outcomes. The findings suggest that incorporating a home-based, nurse-led-intervention for caregivers into primary care can improve the health-related quality of life of caregivers of patients with chronic or disabling conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic disease, which results in progressive destruction of the joints and a reduction in quality of life. Joint protection can minimize injuries that worsen arthritis and pain and certain activities can help patients control or reduce the symptoms of this chronic disease. To determine the effectiveness of a self-management program for joint protection and physical activity for patients with rheumatoid arthritis based on self-efficacy theory. A two-arm (experimental vs control) randomized trial. Adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis were recruited from rheumatology departments of a medical center in Northern Taiwan. A total of 224 patients met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study. Eligible participants with rheumatoid arthritis were randomly assigned to either an 8-week program in self-management of joint protection and physical activity with nursing support (intervention group, n = 112) or standard care for rheumatology (control group, n = 112). Outcome variables were assessed at baseline and 2-, 3-, and 6-months after commencement of the intervention, which included measures of disease activity, and self-assessments for self-efficacy, quality of life, and self-management behaviors. Differences in outcome variables over time between the groups were analyzed with generalized estimating equations; the level of significance was set at p < 05. The mean age of participants was 58.8 years, duration of the rheumatoid arthritis was 10 years, and most participants (86%) were female. Characteristics and assessment variables did not differ between the two groups at baseline. When compared with the control group at 6 months following initiation of the self-management program, participants in the intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in physical functioning (B = 4.08, p < 05), self-efficacy of pain (B = 4.89, p <.05), and self-management behaviors (B = 4.65, p < 05). A self-management program based on self-efficacy theory that focused on joint protection and physical activities resulted in significant improvements in physical functioning, self-efficacy, and self-management behaviors 6 months following commencement of the intervention. Nurses provided individualized evaluations and support, which may have made it easier for participants to learn and perform the activities. After commencement of participation in the intervention, no improvements were seen until 6 months of participation. This delay may suggest patients with chronic disease may need a longer duration of self-management training and increased follow-up time to incorporate lifestyle changes. Future studies measuring long-term outcomes are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual dysfunction is a common long-term complication of cervical cancer and its treatment. However, due to traditional Chinese culture, there are few studies on interventions to improve sexual function in China. To evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led positive psychology intervention on sexual function, depression and subjective well-being amongst postoperative patients with early-stage cervical cancer. A randomized controlled trial. Patients who had undergone radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer and were followed up in gynaecological clinics were recruited via convenience sampling from three tertiary hospitals in Chongqing, China. Patients who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate (N = 91) were randomly assigned to a nurse-led positive psychology intervention (intervention group, n = 46) or usual care (control group, n = 45). The Female Sexual Function Index, Self-rating Depression Scale and Index of Well-being were used to assess sexual function, depression and subjective well-being, respectively, at baseline and 3 and 6 months after the intervention. Data were analysed by the chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, t -test and Pearson correlation analysis. Compared with participants in the control group, participants in the intervention group showed significant improvements in sexual function (mean difference [MD]: -3.95, P = 0.005 at 3 months post-intervention; MD: -4.36, P = 0.001 at 6 months post-intervention). In addition, at 3 and 6 months after the intervention, the number of patients with improvements in their levels of depression and well-being in the intervention group was higher than that in the control group (P <0.05). The Pearson correlation analysis results showed that there was a negative correlation between sexual function and level of depression in patients (r =-0.612, P <0.001) and that sexual function was positively correlated with subjective well-being (r = 0.638, P <0.001). The intervention group experienced significant improvements in sexual function, depression and subjective well-being. These findings suggest that a nurse-led positive psychology intervention should be implemented for postoperative patients with early-stage cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Besides physical and mental changes from childbirth, first-time mothers are also confronted with challenges associated with the demands of adapting to their roles as new parents. While positive effects of home-based psychoeducation intervention for mothers have been demonstrated, limited studies have developed and examined more accessible and cost-effective web-based psychoeducational interventions for mothers. To examine the effectiveness of web-based and home-based postnatal psychoeducational interventions for first-time mothers during the early postpartum period. A randomized controlled three-group pre-test and post-tests experimental design was adopted. Data were collected over five months, from October 2016 to August 2017, in a public tertiary hospital in Singapore from 204 primiparas who were randomly allocated to the web-based psychoeducation group, the home-based psychoeducation group, or the control group. The measured outcomes included maternal parental self-efficacy, social support, psychological well-being, satisfaction with postnatal care, and cost-effectiveness evaluation. Data were collected at four time points: the baseline, and three post-tests at one month, three and six months post-delivery. When compared to the control group, the web-based intervention improved self-efficacy at post-test 1 (mean difference = 2.68, p = 0.028) and reduced postnatal depression at post-test 3 (mean difference = −1.82, p = 0.044), while the home-based intervention did not show significant effect on these two outcomes at all post-tests. Both web-based and home-based interventions helped mothers to get better social support at all post-tests than those in the control group. Mothers in both web-based and home-based intervention groups were more satisfied with the postnatal care than those in the control group at all post-test time points (except for web-based group at post-test 1). There were no differences in anxiety scores among the three groups. When compared to the home-based intervention, the web-based intervention showed noninferior effect on all outcomes at all post-tests. The web-based intervention had better effects on improving self-efficacy, social support, and postnatal depression, which should be introduced to first-time mothers for better postnatal care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]